Comments on: The Lack Of Impact WAR Under Neal Huntington

By: Ecbucs

Ecbucs — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 22:06:25 +0000

the Pirates must know the results of their drafts have been mediocre at best. Heck they should know it before fans figure it out or they have a lousy internal evaluation system. Just goes to show that the team’s M.O. is to BS the fans and hope. It is discouraging to be a fan of the Pirates.

By: Bigbenfan

Bigbenfan — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 18:40:12 +0000

It’d be great if the TPOP contributor who believes the Pirates draft and develop as well as anyone could defend that stance in a piece on this site. I do not believe there is a logical, legitimate way to defend this. But I would like to see him try. I understand not wanting a hive mentality, but from my perspective having a contributor who believes what he does about the draft is a detriment to your site. That’s why I posed the question in terms of site credibility. It’d be like NASA employing a flat earther. At some point, the obvious needs to be recognized or else no one will take what you say seriously.

By: Kevin Creagh

Kevin Creagh — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 14:29:42 +0000

This article was written by me (Kevin). This is not a hive mind. The numbers are the numbers and are reflected in this article. If someone wants to have a different opinion, this is not North Korea.

By: Bigbenfan

Bigbenfan — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 14:12:15 +0000

What’s the balance between the credibility of this site and the notion that ‘everyone is entitled to their opinion’? I ask because one of your contributors believes fully that what you have written is not true. He believes the opposite to be true. His exact words last summer on twitter were ‘Pirates draft, sign & develop talent as well as anyone.’

By: LB

LB — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 07:05:39 +0000

Let face it the Pirates are owned buy a guy that just wants a profit not worried about winning. If that cones then ok but we are seeing utility guys starting for the Bucs that can not start anywhere else. It’s time to go get some stars and put a product on the field that’s worth watching. Im done with this, the Bucs have not had a guy that can hit for power no team is scared when they face them. Stop putting utility players out there and calling them a versatile team. Can’t watch anymore.

By: Kevin Creagh

Kevin Creagh — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 20:34:53 +0000

Yes, only domestic draft. The Dodgers have not drafted well, pretty much aside from Seager/Bellinger and they are recent enough that they have not accrued a ton of WAR to make the Dodgers rise out of their mediocre ranking yet.

By: Phillip C-137

Phillip C-137 — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 19:51:51 +0000

I’m guessing the draft chart only relates to the U.S. draft? Or does it include the International signings? For instance the Dodgers only being at 30.8 surprises me. (They’ve had 2 -Seager and Bellinger- ROY’s along with Puig and Jansen come up during this time frame, plus whoever else.)

Speaking of the Dodgers. In 2018 their top BWAR guy was Justin Turner with 4.5, but they had 5 guys with at least 4 BWAR. 2017 was easier for them because Turner led with 5.8 and they had 8 guys with 3 BWAR or more.

Watching today’s Bos-Pitts ST game, Cora says the team is going to better than people are expecting (players are better than we’re thinking). I hope he’s right but several guys are going to have to start breaking out since it doesn’t look like any one guy in particular is going to be a behemoth.

By: Kevin Creagh

Kevin Creagh — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 17:51:56 +0000

It’s pretty bleak, but not as bleak as your climate change report, apparently. They aren’t even finding hidden gems after the 10th round like many teams (Cards, esp) seem to do.
Huntington is very risk-averse and that has permeated through their draft philosophy. Newman and Craig were uninspiring choices on draft day. I like Cole Tucker, but he needs to show it this year.

By: Kevin Creagh

Kevin Creagh — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 17:49:55 +0000

Remember it’s only for guys currently on the team, so Glasnow/Cole/Meadows won’t have any effect. This also only looks at 3+ WAR seasons (1+ WAR for relievers) and I don’t see Newman/Bell doing that. Maaaybe Frazier.

Tony Watson was drafted in 2007 by Littlefield. Wilson was 2008 by Huntington. But he didn’t have a 1+ WAR season during his time here.

By: Kevin Creagh

Kevin Creagh — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 17:37:33 +0000

Yeah, you really need about 5-7 ‘impact guys’ to start thinking about the playoffs. I see Marte, Taillon, Archer, Vazquez, Kela. If Cervelli is healthy, him too. It just makes the decision to not upgrade the infield that much more indefensible.